Most popular set up in Norway is float line connected to the belt and belt connected to speargun with a separate short line. That way you can drop the belt without a second thought since you can just drag it up again. Major safety advantage in my opinion. If you are hunting bigger fish you simply clip out of the system. You also avoid the potential drag on the speargun from the float line as it's connected to you and not the gun.
Funny thing is I'm one of a few spearfishermen in my area that do what you just described thinking it was an original idea. Seems to be the way of all "original ideas". I actually started off using a belt reel that I'd detach and use as an anchor/undercurrent tester of sorts with my main float line attached to my weight belt. I did this for several reasons, but the main reason was a true beginners fear of drifting too far from my original spot. I had buddies but, in the beginning, they didn't like the idea of sticking together or implementing the one up, one down system. Mostly shallow reef then so one could say I was overly cautious. Now that we actually go out safely, I use the method you mentioned above to full affect.
Yeb I've seen this in Norway and tbh not a fan. I've personally seen what happen when a boat takes a bouy line in the prop and believe me, no one is fast enough to get outta that situation. If you're lucky, the line snaps. I'll sacrifice my equipment for my life anyday.
I totally ditched reels especially in open water. I just tie the gun to a float ... can let go of the gun anytime and the float makes a diver very visible in open water so that you don't get lost or risk danger of boat runover. The slight incovenience of a float line is very easy to overcome and get used to. Reels are just too dangerous especially if you don't trust yourself to let go of an expensive gun when things go bad ... this has led to many spearos suffering SWB with fatal consequences.
Dan it's so easy to lose track of all the divers when you're the boat boy unless they have floats and flags. My nephew spent over an hour and a half drifting off Moreton because of a reel gun. Don't get me wrong because they have a distinct advantage at times so I'm not against reel guns. Getting back to your comment in floats and ropes on breaking headlands covered in Cunji I get it Lol ! However a seasoned spearo has developed good rope and float management as part of their skill set. I'd prefer to see newbies learning to use rope, float and flags first. Regardless of what system you use spearfishing without a good sharp knife that's easily accessible is the fastest way to the cemetery. Don't dive without a knife you pups !
@@flipspearing Oh bullshit Blake. Drop 4 spearo's in on a drift and they all go different ways regularly. If it blows up during the drift it gets harder and near impossible without floats and flags. Throw in a needy diver who wants a second gun or has just speared a large fish a few pesky whalers and you can lose a diver quick smart.
@@bigbopper143 not sure what show you’re running mate but I wouldn’t like to be boatie for 4 divers who all head off in different directions anyway 🤷♂️ everyone dives different. The way myself and my buddies dive, it ain’t hard to boatie for.
Of all the line tangles on rubbers it always seems (from what I've watched) that traditional rubbers get snagged and not rollers. If a roller is going to muzzle wrap you generally won't reach the fish anyway as it happens before the shaft gets more than a metre or so out. I love the flexibility of my reel gun, but I also use a drop weight with my float and rig line to mark my areas safely. Gives you better safety when rock hopping in big swell too.
Mandatory to have a reel here in Normandy, we are mainly hunting fish in hole/crack and with the dirty water if you don t have time to get the fish after your shot, the reels give you the chance to come back on a second dive to finish the job 🤙
Great video as always Dan! Reels are a must for diving kelp forests on the west coast of USA. I also just love the sound they make and the adrenaline rush when you shoot a proper fish on a reel.
If you fish deep in pairs the man at the top can pull the fish out of holes fast with float and line if you don't use reels, and the man down can go up stress free to the surface without worrying about shit happening with reel or line.
A reel on your speargun depends on the type of fish, your location, and your ability. My dad and his best friend never lost a spear in almost 50 years of spearfishing. Their success has a lot to do with the places they fished and their proficiency. They normally spearfished around reefs and wrecks in less than 100ft of water. When they came across large pelagic fish they always took their time and only shot if they could stone the fish. Their methods worked for them but it probably won't work for pelagic fish in blue water. For someone to say a reel is a must or no it's not is just ignorant. There are guys that use reels and fish the same areas as my dad and his friend did. They don't have the patience or technique to ensure they won't lose that big pelagic fish. There's nothing wrong with knowing your limits. Also, I agree that an easy-to-reach, sharp knife is a must.
I’m fairly new to spearing. from west coast of Canada. Most the time I’m carrying a bag for crabs (been hand crabbing for years)with a 75cm gun (not as much experience)with no float Or reel for rockfish, greenling or the occasional lingcod if I’m lucky. Been spending time in Mexico lately with some friends though, and the vid’s tipping me towards simply having a float on the end. Haven’t appreciated the benefits till seeing it in action. Your video’s given me some much needed insight though. Time to upgrade. Thanks!
Epic video, I recently lost a solid Sydney king from letting to much reel line out and it ripping the shaft out on the reef. The Kingy nightmares post dive are a real thing haha
Great stuff as usual. In the Azores instead of reels or a float line it was usual to use transparent aquarium tubing connecting the gun to the float when hunting for big pelagic fish.
I used to use a floatline like that with clear plastic and dyneema in the middle. They always ended up getting holes in them and filling with water so switched over to rope. I can see how they would be helpful though.
That's what I use here in Spain, doesn't get tangled so easily👍 Are you from the Azores? I'm thinking of going on holiday with my family there, around the 20th November. Is it possible to spearfish there at that time of year? Bluewater or shore? If you have any contacts there, would you mind passing their information on to me please?🤗 Thanks and happy fishing
When hunting big fish I use a float line. My gun is not attached to the line and becomes free after shooting. If something happens, fish runs too deep not retrievable you have only lost the shaft and line, not the gun
I generally dive with a float line, attached to my reel gun (shore dives, which is all I do mostly). Visibility to other boats/jetski users is very important here in Malta. Even then I've had a couple of close calls.
Kelp, just got out of the water here after a short dive and the kelp was everywhere. Was a real pain. Now that I feel confident with the float and float line I think I’ll try out a reel, but I’ll be getting a belt reel as well. Thanks for the video.
Funny you say it. I didn’t let go of my reel gun 40 ft dive and it wasn’t letting out line…blacked out luckily at surface.. over exerted myself swimming to surface.
Your trick on how to control the reel helped massively about a month ago when I shot an 8 kilo amberjack. The shot was bad so the fish had loads of power and i couldn't stop the line by just grabbing it with my hand. I was about to cut the line and lose the spear when this came to mind so i just put my hand on the reel and it worked perfectly.
On the money as always Daniel. Its entirely dependent on target fish, place and style of fishing. Imagine in Greece a float is a requirement for fishing legally (for visibility) and yet when I do shallow water agguato hagging an especially rocky shoreline I simply have to do without as it would tangle continuously. Conversely if I was trying to hunt tuna on their open sea trails with chum or mirrors etc I would be mad to not do the float&bunjee cord combo. There are even times (for example hunting small -300gr - 1kg- parrot fish where you might shoot 20-40 times) when I want a reel-less 75-85 Pneumatic speargun with 3 or 4 lenghts wraparound. Same with large numbers of grey mullet and Salema Porgy for example (Salpa Sarpa) - Also reeless was the way to go back in the 80s when people did night time spearfishing. its all very situational.
Beautiful video makes me want to and try my own hand at it. The vibes, wakes my instinct I wanna go, setup a playlist with *Metallica* One and *Delta Parole* Wasted and go off into my own world right this moment.
Great points as usual. I started using the Salvimar Bungeetech floatline with 80kg Dyneema core. it is 4 meter long and extends to 16m. I add some regular line. No more drag from my float (i use a Seac Seamate dinghy style). I never really need a reel. I dive in NY, where usually the current is strong (tides always moving and more). I do not feel the drag and the pull on my float anymore. Only downisde when i go around rocks with mussels in the current the line gets stuck. But there are so many boats and jetskis (in many parts of the USA people can drive a boat with just a car driver's license and nothing else, so boaters are often unaware of dive flags and distance, which anyway is often much shorter than tne European regs). if I'd drop the gun in the current, it would be hard to find the exact spot. On the surface the current always moves me. You explain so thoroughly the pros and cons. But in the USA , especially if I dive alone, I would never dive without a float. UNless someone is spotting me. ALso if I were diving from a charter boat offshore I would still use a float. A camo wetsuit hood is not so easy to spot.
Everyone has to do what they are comfortable with and I’m glad you’ve found the best option for you. I’ll have to check out the salvimar floatline, sounds great.
@@DanielMann yea, everything is a compromise. I used to use a heavy duty floatline, but I felt too much pull. I think Salvimar has a even thicker more heavy duty floatline. Bungee for me is now the way to go, even if it may wear out after a year or 2. Finding the most comfortable way to spearfish is always a work in progress.
Very useful topic but I would say, wrong header. Point is that you need a reel of sufficient capacity for intended species, geographical area and hunt. Fast running, big or strong fish and reel is not a good solution, on the other hand, bungee is constraining you in many ways. Additional reel on a belt or arm is a good backup. REALLY NEED or DO NOT NEED is black and white. We all know that things are never b&w. I would always say YES to a reel but would use it only for fish and hunting technique that will make use of it. For sure not in blue water with strong, fast swimmers. Small tip...whatever kind of line used (except mono), when spooling reel, get it wet and spool under tension, your reel will never jam due to fast running out. If reel is new, take all the line out and do the same thing before spearfishing.
i live in the very northern part of norway, and i never use a reel on my primary gun. but i do on my seconday. this allowes me to shoot a big halibut if i come across one, then i can catch up to my float, grab the other gun with a reel and shoot again. this gives me 2 lines to fight the fish. my secondary gun also have a carabine hook that i hook on the float line before i dive.
@@DanielMann i would like to just ask one stupid question. do you wash you smoothskin suit after a dive if you are going out again the day after? i can't find any good answers
i stopped using reel as it was added complexity in the water.- i only use floatline now, without a buoy not spearing anything huge in northern california everything you said about floatline woes is spot on reel looks coler too
I have been spearfishing since the 60's inshore near surf and shallow water and open water with chum and shinners / flashers ....my conclusion 1. Reel ok with small fish inshore where you don't want a float to get tangled or pulled by waves ... disadvantage no stringer for fish. 2. Open water ...reel which goes with the gun ..no way Instead l use a float line with a breakaway rig , ie: my spear detaches from my gun and line straight to my float. Top man on the boat can see me at all times My gun looped onto my shoulder....no problem.. big fish much better on float line...float line with one , two or three floats in open water ok. So one real gun inshore small fish etc One breakaway rig open water ( I never let my gun go with the fish ...it's goes into my shoulder)
I personaly only dive with a float, although it's true about the surge and currant pulling on your float... Great vid Dan, lot of info to think about... 👍
Great video Dan, I really enjoy watching these education ones! I recently installed a reel on my gun, however I’m yet to actually need it but hopefully this summer a big kingy takes the whole line 😂
Speared a lot of corvina here in Portugal without a reel and i would only catch like 1 out of 3 that i shot because their flesh would tear because of my strenght and the strenght of the fish pulling different ways it's not a good feeling
Great info. When we go to Swains or the coral Sea the boat we go on insists on using a float line for the safety factor, As someone said being a boatie in open water not being able to see the divers is a bitch and easy to lose sight of those you are there to keep an eye on.
If you don't have a reel and your spear or fish gets stuck on the bottom can't you just let go of the gun and follow the float line back up to your float?
Thanks Daniel, what’s the brand of the larger carbon fiber spearguns? I have been using a single roller but the simplicity and aesthetic looks of the under pressure and the carbon gun you have are much better…
What i dont understand yet is the following: when i use the float line and my gun is attached to it and i let go of the gun … do i have to instantly grab the float line with my hands? Otherwise the fish swims away and takes the float on the surface with him … or not? Then i’d have to follow the buoy/float swimming on the surface
@@DanielMann thx! Does it matter how big the float is? The bigger the better or is a small one enough? Mine is the xifias 501. it‘s round with a diameter of around 30 cm
Bigger floats for bigger fish generally. However if a float is too big it will put too much pressure on a running fish and risk tearing the spear out. 11L is a great all round size.
@@DanielMann 🤣🤣 no I know its just a trending topic atm with a few people complaining they will kill you. Although I would be seriously impressed if you managed to read the blog, script the video, film, edit, export, upload all within a few hours 🤣 Nice work Mann
Are you aware of anything like this to attach to the shark clip on a speargun for those times the reel snags? Something bright that has the buoyancy to bring a 20kg fish to the surface after it stops fighting or at least recover the gun once the sharks are done with the fish. I'm just wondering if there is a spearfishing specific product out there.
I've not heard of anything. You'd struggle to dive with a float attached to you that could bring a 20kg fish to the surface. As I mentioned, I tend to use a belt reel with the reel gun as a backup.
So to claryfie, a reel doas not unwinde when u shott, the line wich is draged behind the speer is already sored beside the apeergund with the relaus mecanism?
@@DanielMann Yeah it definitely can upset people, understandably. We all take risks spearing. I think you did a good job of pointing out those risks to new divers that may have been unaware.
Hey Daniel love the vids just wanted to ask about my reel, i don’t know why but i can’t reel it i have to exert a huge amount of force for it to turn and then it just locks up after a couple of centimeters… do you think it’s due to corrosion (i can’t see any) or maybe just because i don’t know how to use it as this is my first day with a reel on my speargun ( i bought the gun second hand so idk) also do you know any communities where i could ask questions about spearfishing?
Great video again! I've been trying to get in contact with under pressure spearguns and for the life of me I can't get them to email me back and you can't just order a gun through their site. Any recommendations?
Primarily I like having mono for shooting line but if you keep using your reel line to the shaft you will eventually run out of line. You will find yourself replacing the line to the shaft a few metres every so often when it gets damaged. Then your reel may only have 30m of line on it after a year or so. Then that makes your expensive reel like pretty useless!
Building four, two will have reels and two will not. A good tool box has something for any situation. Shallow diving for me/reels, scuba down deep, no reel or depending on what I’m after. There is no one answer
hi Dan, one question here that is kind of bothering me, i am here in Indonesia diving off the rompongs which is a fad and am seeing lots of mahi mahi and wahoo! the problem is i have a 25L fuel tank as my float and have never shot a wahoo before, wondering if i shot it, would i never see my gun again? whats your thoughts on that? Thanks
25L is more than enough. In fact I prefer smaller floats for wahoo as you can put too much pressure on the fish with a big float and have the spear rip out.
I have the riffe reel but when it’s on loose it tends to unspool the line when swimming around, that’s frustrating. And when I put it on the first level of drag, it limits my shooting distance… any tips? Triple wrap of mono?
The reel shouldn’t limit the shooting distance. Using a reel like that will slow your shaft down so much it wouldn’t be worth it. Just use a double wrap if you have to.
@@DanielMann I’ve put extra rubber on my gun hence it’s still unspooling when I shoot even on double wrap. Will try triple wrap then… when the reel is in ‚neutral’ it doesn’t slow the shaft down though. So need to check both options
Reels designed for spearguns, only hold line. The drag is useless. If you are a shore diver you do need a reel.BUT it should be a Trolling reel wiith a reliable DRAG, If you shoot cave dwellers, drag to the max, pelagics let them run and apply as needed. To heavy? take off a lead from belt. If from a boat, a float line will do. When you dive with a buoy and floatline, a reel is still recomended(most of the time you play and retrive the fish without leting go the gun) Have had big fish take me for a ride with trolling reels(Full drag) and 50 mts of stainless cable.
Most popular set up in Norway is float line connected to the belt and belt connected to speargun with a separate short line. That way you can drop the belt without a second thought since you can just drag it up again. Major safety advantage in my opinion. If you are hunting bigger fish you simply clip out of the system. You also avoid the potential drag on the speargun from the float line as it's connected to you and not the gun.
Funny thing is I'm one of a few spearfishermen in my area that do what you just described thinking it was an original idea. Seems to be the way of all "original ideas". I actually started off using a belt reel that I'd detach and use as an anchor/undercurrent tester of sorts with my main float line attached to my weight belt. I did this for several reasons, but the main reason was a true beginners fear of drifting too far from my original spot. I had buddies but, in the beginning, they didn't like the idea of sticking together or implementing the one up, one down system. Mostly shallow reef then so one could say I was overly cautious. Now that we actually go out safely, I use the method you mentioned above to full affect.
Yeb I've seen this in Norway and tbh not a fan. I've personally seen what happen when a boat takes a bouy line in the prop and believe me, no one is fast enough to get outta that situation. If you're lucky, the line snaps. I'll sacrifice my equipment for my life anyday.
I totally ditched reels especially in open water. I just tie the gun to a float ... can let go of the gun anytime and the float makes a diver very visible in open water so that you don't get lost or risk danger of boat runover. The slight incovenience of a float line is very easy to overcome and get used to. Reels are just too dangerous especially if you don't trust yourself to let go of an expensive gun when things go bad ... this has led to many spearos suffering SWB with fatal consequences.
Dan it's so easy to lose track of all the divers when you're the boat boy unless they have floats and flags. My nephew spent over an hour and a half drifting off Moreton because of a reel gun. Don't get me wrong because they have a distinct advantage at times so I'm not against reel guns. Getting back to your comment in floats and ropes on breaking headlands covered in Cunji I get it Lol ! However a seasoned spearo has developed good rope and float management as part of their skill set. I'd prefer to see newbies learning to use rope, float and flags first. Regardless of what system you use spearfishing without a good sharp knife that's easily accessible is the fastest way to the cemetery. Don't dive without a knife you pups !
Pretty sure getting your head split in half by an outboard is quicker.
@@The_Fluid_DruidGood point. I've even had my own boat boy run me over 🤪
That’s on the boatie. Not hard to stay close to your divers.
@@flipspearing Oh bullshit Blake. Drop 4 spearo's in on a drift and they all go different ways regularly. If it blows up during the drift it gets harder and near impossible without floats and flags. Throw in a needy diver who wants a second gun or has just speared a large fish a few pesky whalers and you can lose a diver quick smart.
@@bigbopper143 not sure what show you’re running mate but I wouldn’t like to be boatie for 4 divers who all head off in different directions anyway 🤷♂️ everyone dives different. The way myself and my buddies dive, it ain’t hard to boatie for.
Of all the line tangles on rubbers it always seems (from what I've watched) that traditional rubbers get snagged and not rollers. If a roller is going to muzzle wrap you generally won't reach the fish anyway as it happens before the shaft gets more than a metre or so out.
I love the flexibility of my reel gun, but I also use a drop weight with my float and rig line to mark my areas safely. Gives you better safety when rock hopping in big swell too.
Mandatory to have a reel here in Normandy, we are mainly hunting fish in hole/crack and with the dirty water if you don t have time to get the fish after your shot, the reels give you the chance to come back on a second dive to finish the job 🤙
I’d love to fish in Normandy one day!
Great video as always Dan! Reels are a must for diving kelp forests on the west coast of USA. I also just love the sound they make and the adrenaline rush when you shoot a proper fish on a reel.
I agree, in kelp they are amazing.
If you fish deep in pairs the man at the top can pull the fish out of holes fast with float and line if you don't use reels, and the man down can go up stress free to the surface without worrying about shit happening with reel or line.
A reel on your speargun depends on the type of fish, your location, and your ability. My dad and his best friend never lost a spear in almost 50 years of spearfishing. Their success has a lot to do with the places they fished and their proficiency. They normally spearfished around reefs and wrecks in less than 100ft of water. When they came across large pelagic fish they always took their time and only shot if they could stone the fish. Their methods worked for them but it probably won't work for pelagic fish in blue water. For someone to say a reel is a must or no it's not is just ignorant. There are guys that use reels and fish the same areas as my dad and his friend did. They don't have the patience or technique to ensure they won't lose that big pelagic fish. There's nothing wrong with knowing your limits. Also, I agree that an easy-to-reach, sharp knife is a must.
I’m fairly new to spearing. from west coast of Canada. Most the time I’m carrying a bag for crabs (been hand crabbing for years)with a 75cm gun (not as much experience)with no float Or reel for rockfish, greenling or the occasional lingcod if I’m lucky. Been spending time in Mexico lately with some friends though, and the vid’s tipping me towards simply having a float on the end. Haven’t appreciated the benefits till seeing it in action. Your video’s given me some much needed insight though. Time to upgrade. Thanks!
Definitely go for the float and line option, it will save your gun if you hit something big!
Definitely go for the float and line option, it will save your gun if you hit something big!
Epic video, I recently lost a solid Sydney king from letting to much reel line out and it ripping the shaft out on the reef. The Kingy nightmares post dive are a real thing haha
Dan. Thx for sharing your hard earned knowledge.
Great stuff as usual.
In the Azores instead of reels or a float line it was usual to use transparent aquarium tubing connecting the gun to the float when hunting for big pelagic fish.
I used to use a floatline like that with clear plastic and dyneema in the middle. They always ended up getting holes in them and filling with water so switched over to rope. I can see how they would be helpful though.
That's what I use here in Spain, doesn't get tangled so easily👍
Are you from the Azores? I'm thinking of going on holiday with my family there, around the 20th November. Is it possible to spearfish there at that time of year? Bluewater or shore?
If you have any contacts there, would you mind passing their information on to me please?🤗
Thanks and happy fishing
Thank you Daniel. I do like your words of caution. I enjoyed this vid.
When hunting big fish I use a float line. My gun is not attached to the line and becomes free after shooting. If something happens, fish runs too deep not retrievable you have only lost the shaft and line, not the gun
I generally dive with a float line, attached to my reel gun (shore dives, which is all I do mostly). Visibility to other boats/jetski users is very important here in Malta. Even then I've had a couple of close calls.
Lots of boats in Malta I found as well.
Kelp, just got out of the water here after a short dive and the kelp was everywhere. Was a real pain. Now that I feel confident with the float and float line I think I’ll try out a reel, but I’ll be getting a belt reel as well. Thanks for the video.
Great video. Thanks, Dan!
I think I'll do both. Open ocean I'll use a rig line. Costal but deep with lots of rocks I'll do reel.😊
Great video, appreciate the nuts and bolts description.
this video is excellent. It just answered so many questions
Funny you say it. I didn’t let go of my reel gun 40 ft dive and it wasn’t letting out line…blacked out luckily at surface.. over exerted myself swimming to surface.
The very important accessory for security in sea.
Compliments, ciao Daniel.
Excellent ! You answered a lot of my questions. Thanks
Your trick on how to control the reel helped massively about a month ago when I shot an 8 kilo amberjack. The shot was bad so the fish had loads of power and i couldn't stop the line by just grabbing it with my hand. I was about to cut the line and lose the spear when this came to mind so i just put my hand on the reel and it worked perfectly.
Glad it worked out for you!
Another quality production. Great advice! Keep it up!
On the money as always Daniel. Its entirely dependent on target fish, place and style of fishing. Imagine in Greece a float is a requirement for fishing legally (for visibility) and yet when I do shallow water agguato hagging an especially rocky shoreline I simply have to do without as it would tangle continuously. Conversely if I was trying to hunt tuna on their open sea trails with chum or mirrors etc I would be mad to not do the float&bunjee cord combo. There are even times (for example hunting small -300gr - 1kg- parrot fish where you might shoot 20-40 times) when I want a reel-less 75-85 Pneumatic speargun with 3 or 4 lenghts wraparound. Same with large numbers of grey mullet and Salema Porgy for example (Salpa Sarpa) - Also reeless was the way to go back in the 80s when people did night time spearfishing. its all very situational.
Beautiful video makes me want to and try my own hand at it. The vibes, wakes my instinct I wanna go, setup a playlist with *Metallica* One and *Delta Parole* Wasted and go off into my own world right this moment.
Good reminder! Cheers Dan
Great points as usual. I started using the Salvimar Bungeetech floatline with 80kg Dyneema core. it is 4 meter long and extends to 16m. I add some regular line. No more drag from my float (i use a Seac Seamate dinghy style). I never really need a reel. I dive in NY, where usually the current is strong (tides always moving and more). I do not feel the drag and the pull on my float anymore. Only downisde when i go around rocks with mussels in the current the line gets stuck. But there are so many boats and jetskis (in many parts of the USA people can drive a boat with just a car driver's license and nothing else, so boaters are often unaware of dive flags and distance, which anyway is often much shorter than tne European regs). if I'd drop the gun in the current, it would be hard to find the exact spot. On the surface the current always moves me. You explain so thoroughly the pros and cons. But in the USA , especially if I dive alone, I would never dive without a float. UNless someone is spotting me. ALso if I were diving from a charter boat offshore I would still use a float. A camo wetsuit hood is not so easy to spot.
Everyone has to do what they are comfortable with and I’m glad you’ve found the best option for you. I’ll have to check out the salvimar floatline, sounds great.
@@DanielMann yea, everything is a compromise. I used to use a heavy duty floatline, but I felt too much pull. I think Salvimar has a even thicker more heavy duty floatline. Bungee for me is now the way to go, even if it may wear out after a year or 2. Finding the most comfortable way to spearfish is always a work in progress.
Very useful topic but I would say, wrong header. Point is that you need a reel of sufficient capacity for intended species, geographical area and hunt. Fast running, big or strong fish and reel is not a good solution, on the other hand, bungee is constraining you in many ways. Additional reel on a belt or arm is a good backup. REALLY NEED or DO NOT NEED is black and white. We all know that things are never b&w. I would always say YES to a reel but would use it only for fish and hunting technique that will make use of it. For sure not in blue water with strong, fast swimmers. Small tip...whatever kind of line used (except mono), when spooling reel, get it wet and spool under tension, your reel will never jam due to fast running out. If reel is new, take all the line out and do the same thing before spearfishing.
So informative! Thanks so much.
i live in the very northern part of norway, and i never use a reel on my primary gun. but i do on my seconday. this allowes me to shoot a big halibut if i come across one, then i can catch up to my float, grab the other gun with a reel and shoot again. this gives me 2 lines to fight the fish. my secondary gun also have a carabine hook that i hook on the float line before i dive.
Sounds like a great setup 👌
@@DanielMann i would like to just ask one stupid question. do you wash you smoothskin suit after a dive if you are going out again the day after? i can't find any good answers
I try to give the inside a rinse with fresh water to stop bacteria building up.
i stopped using reel as it was added complexity in the water.- i only use floatline now, without a buoy
not spearing anything huge in northern california
everything you said about floatline woes is spot on
reel looks coler too
I have been spearfishing since the 60's inshore near surf and shallow water and open water with chum and shinners / flashers ....my conclusion
1. Reel ok with small fish inshore where you don't want a float to get tangled or pulled by waves ... disadvantage no stringer for fish.
2. Open water ...reel which goes with the gun ..no way
Instead l use a float line with a breakaway rig , ie: my spear detaches from my gun and line straight to my float. Top man on the boat can see me at all times
My gun looped onto my shoulder....no problem.. big fish much better on float line...float line with one , two or three floats in open water ok.
So one real gun inshore small fish etc
One breakaway rig open water
( I never let my gun go with the fish ...it's goes into my shoulder)
Great video as always Daniel😉💪🏻🐟
I personaly only dive with a float, although it's true about the surge and currant pulling on your float... Great vid Dan, lot of info to think about... 👍
Each to their own Rudolph, glad this gave you something to think about 😊
@@DanielMann is it easier to rigg your gun with a reel after shooting?
Been waiting for the video in Greece!
Didn't get a notification for this video😡
Only just seen it now
Nice vid👍
I use A rell in the med its really popular i use it with the andre 160 doublre roller but since i can easily replace it i use 150 meter kevlar rope
Great video Dan, I really enjoy watching these education ones! I recently installed a reel on my gun, however I’m yet to actually need it but hopefully this summer a big kingy takes the whole line 😂
Very informative video and things that I hadn’t considered! You should review that Fusiles Orca! Been eyeing one of those
Thanks mate, it’s a fantastic gun!
when diving in areas with pretty high waves, how would one secure yourself to a float without being pulled around by it?
Speared a lot of corvina here in Portugal without a reel and i would only catch like 1 out of 3 that i shot because their flesh would tear because of my strenght and the strenght of the fish pulling different ways it's not a good feeling
Im still using my green 4 strand nana arms float rope from the bucket head days - it’s been re braided a couple of times but still going.
Must have been over 10 years ago I was making those up.
thank you Daniel
yeessss! a new vid makes my day better!
Thanks for the new vid, Dan!
Love it Dan just got my new real but never had the gut to use it don't no how to operate it this really help me heaps thanks bro an save dives MANA
listening to this im going to stick with a float line, i dont go down deep enough I think to warrant a reel.
I was trying to find something on this just recently. Thanks for the video
Hope this helps Jacob!
Dan, I was just wondering if you could explain how this gun compares to an Abellan? They look beautiful
I’ve never owned an Abellan but I prefer the zero maintenance of the carbon fibre.
Most of the time I use a float line. In southern California with kelp I use a reel a float line gets tangled up
Horses for courses 👌
Great info. When we go to Swains or the coral Sea the boat we go on insists on using a float line for the safety factor, As someone said being a boatie in open water not being able to see the divers is a bitch and easy to lose sight of those you are there to keep an eye on.
Thank you so much, this was the exact video that I needed!!! Btw is it easier to rigg a speargun after shooting with a reel?
Not necessarily easier no, guns without a reel I would say are a bit faster to reload after shooting a fish.
Love the vid keep up the work !🔥
Awesome video thanks mate!
thanks for the tips daniel
How much drag should you have set before you shoot the fish with a reel?
Great info in this video Dan, cheers 👍
please what is the best configuration of bands for pathos laser carbone 90/100 with 7mm shaft
Nice video as always. Question. What size, type and length of line on the reel is best?
If you don't have a reel and your spear or fish gets stuck on the bottom can't you just let go of the gun and follow the float line back up to your float?
That's the idea behind the float line and float yes.
Great vid was thinking of getting a reel wasnt to sure tho
Need some more vids miss u man
What can I say… life 🤷♂️
@@DanielMann true well hope I get to see some more dives before the year ends love ur work bro n vids
Succinct and practical, as usual. 🙏
Cheers Bill!
Thanks Daniel, what’s the brand of the larger carbon fiber spearguns? I have been using a single roller but the simplicity and aesthetic looks of the under pressure and the carbon gun you have are much better…
It’s an Orca Evo 100. Fantastic gun.
Love reels. Love full breakaway way more.
Southern spearfishing, from his long hiatus returns to the comments section!
What i dont understand yet is the following: when i use the float line and my gun is attached to it and i let go of the gun … do i have to instantly grab the float line with my hands?
Otherwise the fish swims away and takes the float on the surface with him … or not? Then i’d have to follow the buoy/float swimming on the surface
Not at all, you can just let it all go. Most fish will tire out fighting a float and you can swim after it easy enough.
@@DanielMann thx! Does it matter how big the float is? The bigger the better or is a small one enough? Mine is the xifias 501. it‘s round with a diameter of around 30 cm
Bigger floats for bigger fish generally. However if a float is too big it will put too much pressure on a running fish and risk tearing the spear out. 11L is a great all round size.
Tank you 4 da tips sir
Excellent as always 👌
Thanks Aiden 🙌
thanks idol for this info
Nice man, just finished a blog on this!
Swear I didn’t copy it 🤣 Scripted this video in Greece last month.
@@DanielMann 🤣🤣 no I know its just a trending topic atm with a few people complaining they will kill you.
Although I would be seriously impressed if you managed to read the blog, script the video, film, edit, export, upload all within a few hours 🤣
Nice work Mann
There is no doubt they pose more risks when spearfishing than a traditional float and floatline setup. I’ll never deny that.
I grew up spearfishing with billers in the 80s and never needed a real if you don't have a good shot don't take it or you can use a power head
Thx
You should also do a rob allen gun review
Hello
what size/type of reel dyneema do you use?
May I ask which model is the large fishing gun with pattern on your video?
Orca Evo 100
Are you aware of anything like this to attach to the shark clip on a speargun for those times the reel snags? Something bright that has the buoyancy to bring a 20kg fish to the surface after it stops fighting or at least recover the gun once the sharks are done with the fish. I'm just wondering if there is a spearfishing specific product out there.
I've not heard of anything. You'd struggle to dive with a float attached to you that could bring a 20kg fish to the surface. As I mentioned, I tend to use a belt reel with the reel gun as a backup.
Very informative video Daniel! What carbon gun and reel is that in the cover photo? Reel has a nice low profile 👌
That’s the Orca evo 100 gun with the 60m Ermes reel on it 👌
@@DanielMann ❤️❤️
Another excellent vid
Awesome video !!
So to claryfie, a reel doas not unwinde when u shott, the line wich is draged behind the speer is already sored beside the apeergund with the relaus mecanism?
That is correct.
Always a controversial topic, did a good job of covering it!
I tried to be objective but you’re right, it gets under the skin of certain divers talking about it.
@@DanielMann Yeah it definitely can upset people, understandably. We all take risks spearing. I think you did a good job of pointing out those risks to new divers that may have been unaware.
Hey Daniel love the vids just wanted to ask about my reel, i don’t know why but i can’t reel it i have to exert a huge amount of force for it to turn and then it just locks up after a couple of centimeters… do you think it’s due to corrosion (i can’t see any) or maybe just because i don’t know how to use it as this is my first day with a reel on my speargun ( i bought the gun second hand so idk) also do you know any communities where i could ask questions about spearfishing?
Which reel is it? Sometimes these auto releasing reels get installed backwards and that locking up can happen.
I hope I also have that kind of speargun ☹️ one of my dreams is to have that kind of speargun, I hope I can also swim in the sea and spear a big fish
Hi Daniel, what do you think of the orca?
It’s a beautiful gun and shoots really well.
Great video again! I've been trying to get in contact with under pressure spearguns and for the life of me I can't get them to email me back and you can't just order a gun through their site. Any recommendations?
I’d try contacting them through Facebook perhaps?
waiting for a clear water video 👌
Hey Dan! Would you recommend rigging your reel line directly to your shaft or use a mono between the shaft and the reel line? Thanks
Primarily I like having mono for shooting line but if you keep using your reel line to the shaft you will eventually run out of line. You will find yourself replacing the line to the shaft a few metres every so often when it gets damaged. Then your reel may only have 30m of line on it after a year or so. Then that makes your expensive reel like pretty useless!
A mono will not tangle as easily as a reel line, a tangled reel line will ruin your day and you will waste your time untangling it!
@@DanielMann Thanks for answering Dan. Stay safe! Cheers
seems u need a co2 in the handle to float connected to wrist pull away .30c inflator
While I adore Vegemite, I don’t quite understand your proposal…
@@DanielMann hollow out handle make a co2 bike valve inflation bag
@@DanielMann 😂
sweet im going to buy a reel gun this week hahaha first wknd of spearfishing and im buys a second gun
Hi Dan
Is it an El Greco gun the one with black camu and massy one ?
Orca sub from Spain
very will said ❤️❤️❤️
Yoooo another vid so goood should I add a reel to my gun i don't shoot such big fish and I don't know if I need it
This is the video for you then.
You're back in Australia?
Negative
i am a newbie and this video has confused me. i want to start with reef fish on the nsw coastal waters. float or reel?
thanks
As I said at the end, float and floatline for beginners.
Building four, two will have reels and two will not. A good tool box has something for any situation. Shallow diving for me/reels, scuba down deep, no reel or depending on what I’m after. There is no one answer
Like golf clubs, one for every situation!
hi Dan, one question here that is kind of bothering me, i am here in Indonesia diving off the rompongs which is a fad and am seeing lots of mahi mahi and wahoo!
the problem is i have a 25L fuel tank as my float and have never shot a wahoo before, wondering if i shot it, would i never see my gun again? whats your thoughts on that? Thanks
25L is more than enough. In fact I prefer smaller floats for wahoo as you can put too much pressure on the fish with a big float and have the spear rip out.
@@DanielMann OK
thanks so much!
Has things opened up for you a bit more, I see your at the great barrier reef! 😁
I have the riffe reel but when it’s on loose it tends to unspool the line when swimming around, that’s frustrating. And when I put it on the first level of drag, it limits my shooting distance… any tips? Triple wrap of mono?
The reel shouldn’t limit the shooting distance. Using a reel like that will slow your shaft down so much it wouldn’t be worth it. Just use a double wrap if you have to.
@@DanielMann I’ve put extra rubber on my gun hence it’s still unspooling when I shoot even on double wrap. Will try triple wrap then… when the reel is in ‚neutral’ it doesn’t slow the shaft down though. So need to check both options
I’m not sure if what I said is clear enough 😅
Reels designed for spearguns, only hold line. The drag is useless. If you are a shore diver you do need a reel.BUT it should be a Trolling reel wiith a reliable DRAG, If you shoot cave dwellers, drag to the max, pelagics let them run and apply as needed. To heavy? take off a lead from belt. If from a boat, a float line will do. When you dive with a buoy and floatline, a reel is still recomended(most of the time you play and retrive the fish without leting go the gun) Have had big fish take me for a ride with trolling reels(Full drag) and 50 mts of stainless cable.